Rochester NY Radio: The Exit Of Brother Wease Is a Shocker

On Thursday, Rochester radio legend Brother Wease, whose real name is Alan Levin, stunned listeners by announcing that his final show on WAIO-FM (95.1), an iHeartMedia station branded as Radio 95.1. 

The abrupt departure of the iconic host of The Wease Show sparked an outpouring of tributes and well-wishes across social media, with fans, colleagues, and local figures celebrating his storied career and impact on the Rochester community. As one of the most influential voices in Rochester broadcasting, Wease leaves behind a legacy marked by authenticity, humor, and mentorship, having launched the careers of several notable radio personalities.

Brother Wease’s journey in radio began in 1983, not behind the microphone but as an advertising salesman at Rochester’s classic rock station WCMF-FM (96.5). A Vietnam War combat veteran, Wease transitioned to on-air work in 1984, taking over a late-night slot. By 1985, he was hosting The Brother Wease Morning Circus, a morning show that became a Rochester institution, consistently ranking among the market’s highest-rated programs. 

Known for his raw, relatable style, Wease shared personal milestones with his audience, including his battle with cancer, fostering a deep connection with listeners.

WCMF 2000

His show was a launchpad for talent, with personalities like Greg “Opie” Hughes (of Opie and Anthony fame), BJ Shea, and Stephanie Miller (known locally as “Sister Sleaze”) getting their start under his wing. These figures went on to achieve national success, a testament to Wease’s knack for spotting and nurturing talent.

In late 2007, after Entercom acquired WCMF, contract negotiations with Wease fell apart. He left the station in early 2008, and a non-compete clause sidelined him until November of that year, when he returned to the airwaves as the morning host on Radio 95.1. In 2023, seeking a less demanding schedule, Wease successfully requested to shift The Wease Show from its 6–9 a.m. slot to 9 a.m.–noon, allowing him to continue engaging his loyal audience while accommodating his health and lifestyle needs.

Wease’s contributions to broadcasting and the Rochester community have been widely recognized. In 2021, he became the first Rochester radio personality inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Communications Radio Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor reflecting his national influence. He was also enshrined in the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2023, cementing his status as a local icon whose impact transcended radio into the broader cultural fabric of the region.

PBS Has Eliminated 100 Staffers So Far

PBS is facing significant financial challenges due to a $1.1 billion cut in federal funding for public broadcasting over two years, alongside the loss of a major U.S. Education Department grant. This has led to the elimination of approximately 100 staff positions, representing about 15% of its workforce. 

The NY Times reports 34 employees were notified Thursday of immediate layoffs, with additional reductions coming from the closure of vacant positions and cuts tied to the defunded Ready to Learn educational program earlier in the summer.

PBS Chief Executive Paula Kerger described the layoffs as a last resort in a memo to station managers, noting that the organization had already implemented cost-saving measures like hiring freezes, travel restrictions, and paused pay increases. 

Paula Kerger

The funding cuts, driven by a Republican-led Congress and supported by the Trump administration, have resulted in a 21% revenue hit for PBS. To mitigate the impact, PBS has reduced its operating budget by 21% and lowered member station dues by $35 million. 

Despite some relief from a significant grant to support NewsHour and PBS Kids content, Kerger emphasized that tough choices were unavoidable to ensure the organization’s sustainability.

The broader public broadcasting ecosystem is also reeling. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes federal funds to over 1,500 PBS and NPR stations, is shutting down by September 30, 2025, with only a small transition team remaining until January 2026. Local stations, like KSPS in Spokane, are facing budget shortfalls and declining memberships, exacerbating the crisis. While emergency fund drives and philanthropy efforts are underway, the loss of federal support—previously accounting for about 15% of PBS and its stations’ annual finances—threatens programming and operations nationwide.

SiriusXM CEO Backs Howard Stern Amid Contract Rumors

SiriusXM’s leadership is keen on keeping Howard Stern on the air, provided a mutually agreeable deal can be reached, despite speculation about the radio icon’s potential retirement.

At a Bank of America conference on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, SiriusXM President and Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein praised Stern, 71, as “the best interviewer out there, bar none,” and a “lightning rod” for boosting the company’s visibility. 

Greenstein noted that contract negotiations with a figure of Stern’s stature are routine, expressing optimism about ongoing talks: “We’ve been pretty lucky all these years. We’d love them to stay. It has to make sense, but we feel pretty good that we’ve done this before, and we’ll see where it goes.”

CEO Jennifer Witz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Stern’s “core” role at SiriusXM for over two decades and confidence in reaching a fair agreement. 

Stern’s current contract, set to expire this fall, has fueled rumors since August that the Howard Stern Show might end. 

An insider told the US Sun that SiriusXM may balk at Stern’s salary demands, stating, “Sirius and Stern are never going to meet on the money he is going to want. It’s no longer worth the investment.”

Stern’s history with SiriusXM includes a landmark $500 million, five-year deal signed in 2004, effective from 2006, followed by another five-year contract for the same amount in 2020. Past rumors of a $120 million annual payday were dismissed by Stern and his agent as “baffling.”

Five Platforms Dominate Music Streaming

The U.S. music streaming market in H1 2025 is highly concentrated, with five major platforms—Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube (Premium and Music), and Pandora Premium—controlling nearly 99% of the subscription market. 

This consolidation reflects the dominance of these giants, driven by their extensive catalogs, technological integration, and strategic offerings like exclusive content and personalized features.

Market Share Breakdown (H1 2025) Based on subscriber data from DMN Pro, as of May 2025:

• 
  Spotify: 36.8% market share, ~53.8 million subscribers. Its leadership stems from a vast library (over 80 million tracks and 4 million podcasts), innovative features like Discover Weekly, and a mix of free ad-supported and premium tiers.
• Apple Music: 31.5% market share, ~45.9 million subscribers. Benefits from seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, offering lossless audio, Dolby Atmos, and exclusive artist content.
• Amazon Music: 21.6% market share, ~31.5 million subscribers. Leverages Amazon’s Prime ecosystem and smart devices like Echo for convenient access.
• YouTube (Premium/Music): 7.1% market share, ~10.3 million subscribers. Appeals to users with its vast video and music content, bolstered by Google’s ecosystem.
• Pandora Premium: 1.8% market share, ~2.6 million subscribers. Maintains a niche presence with its radio-style streaming and legacy user base.

Together, these platforms account for over 90% of U.S. subscribers, with Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music alone holding over 90%. Adding YouTube and Pandora pushes the total to nearly 99%, highlighting extreme market concentration.

The U.S. crossed 100 million paid subscribers in 2024, with a 3% annual growth rate. Multi-user plans are counted as single subscriptions, understating individual user numbers.   Market Stability: Market shares have remained steady in 2025, with Spotify maintaining a lead but facing tight competition from Apple Music. Smaller platforms struggle to compete due to limited resources and user bases.

Paramount Workers Back To Office or Take Buyout

Paramount Global, following its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, has announced a mandatory five-day-a-week return-to-office (RTO) policy for employees, effective January 5, 2026. 

The directive, issued by CEO David Ellison, marks a significant shift from the company’s previous flexible, pandemic-era remote work structure. 

The policy will initially apply to employees in Paramount’s Los Angeles and New York offices, with plans to extend to other locations, including international offices, later in 2026. This mandate affects employees across Paramount’s portfolio, including CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, BET, Pluto TV, Network 10 in Australia, and Channel 5 in the UK.

Ellison emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration for fostering innovation, problem-solving, and building a stronger company culture, particularly in a creative business like Paramount’s. Employees at the vice president level and below in Los Angeles and New York have until September 15, 2025, to decide whether to comply with the RTO mandate. 

Those unwilling or unable to return full-time can opt into a severance program, details of which will be provided directly to eligible employees. This move aligns with broader cost-cutting efforts, as Paramount aims to reduce expenses by over $2 billion, with layoffs of 2,000–3,000 employees expected by early November 2025, particularly targeting redundancies from the merger.

Philly Radio: Sale of Beasley Cluster Unlikely, Despite Challenges

Beasley Media's Philadelphia radio stations are facing an uncertain future as the company sells other markets.  And now the Philadelphia Business Journal is exploring the financial challenges facing Beasley stations.

The Business Journal's article by Jeff Blumenthal reviews Beasley's financial challenges.

Beasley, based in Naples, Florida, reported a 12.3% revenue decline to $53 million in Q2 2025, driven by weaknesses in national and local agency sales, despite a 1.3% increase in digital revenue. The company’s stock price hit a 52-week low of $8.75 on July 24, 2025, reflecting ongoing financial pressure. Beasley also faced a significant debt burden, with $275 million outstanding as of Q2 2025, prompting asset sales to reduce leverage.

Recent Station Sales: Beasley recently announced the sale of its entire Fort Myers-Naples, Florida, cluster for $18 million in two transactions, exiting that market entirely. This followed the June 2025 sale of Tampa’s WPBB (98.7 The Shark) to Educational Media Foundation for $8 million. These divestitures raised questions about whether Beasley might sell its Philadelphia stations to further alleviate debt.

Philadelphia Market Holdings: Beasley owns seven radio stations in Philadelphia: WMMR-FM (93.3, rock), WMGK-FM (102.9, classic rock), WXTU-FM (92.5, country), WBEN-FM (95.7, pop), WPEN-FM (97.5 The Fanatic, sports), WTEL-AM (610, sports), and WWDB-AM (860, talk). These stations are prominent, with WMMR and WMGK consistently ranking among the top 10 in Nielsen ratings for adults 25-54, and WXTU performing strongly in the country format. The cluster also holds valuable sports broadcasting rights for the Philadelphia Flyers and Sixers.

Speculation on Potential Sale: The article notes that Beasley’s Philadelphia stations are valuable assets, but selling them could be challenging due to a lack of buyers in a contracting radio industry. Industry observers suggested that while Beasley might consider divesting WPEN (The Fanatic), which has faced recent layoffs, including high-profile host Mike Missanelli, the station’s sports rights complicate any sale.

Beasley entered the Philadelphia market through its 2016 acquisition of Greater Media for $240 million, which included the current station cluster. The article highlighted past layoffs and cost-cutting measures, such as a 2020 reduction of 70 employees and a 10% pay cut for salaried staff, indicating ongoing financial strain.

The article cited a Reddit thread from May 2025 expressing fan frustration with Beasley’s management of WMMR, home to the popular Preston and Steve Show, with some users hoping for a sale to preserve the station’s legacy. However, no concrete plans for a Philadelphia sale were confirmed, and Beasley’s leadership, including CEO Caroline Beasley, did not comment directly on the Philadelphia market’s future in the Q2 earnings call.

The Philadelphia Business Journal speculated that Beasley’s focus on debt reduction and digital growth might lead to further station sales, but the Philadelphia cluster’s strong market performance makes it a less likely candidate compared to smaller markets like Fort Myers. 

NAB Renews Effort To Modernize Broadcast Ownership Rules

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Friday announced major milestones in its campaign urging Congress and the FCC to modernize decades-old broadcast ownership rules. 

With outdated restrictions putting local stations at a disadvantage against global Big Tech companies, NAB’s campaign underscores what is at stake for local viewers: access to trusted news, emergency information and the live sports that bring communities together.

Since April, NAB’s campaign has aired nearly a quarter million television and radio spots across 192 media markets, generating more than 1 billion impressions and $43 million in airtime from TV and radio stations. That reach has translated into action: supporters have sent more than 174,000 emails and 34,000 tweets directly to members of Congress and FCC commissioners, demonstrating strong public demand for modernized rules that allow free, local broadcasting to compete with Big Tech.

Curtis LeGeyt

New creative just released highlights one of the most pressing issues facing consumers: the risk of losing live sports on free broadcast channels. A national survey of likely voters conducted in August confirms strong, bipartisan support for keeping sports on local broadcast stations. Among respondents with a firm opinion, an overwhelming 83% said they prefer games on broadcast compared to just 17% who prefer paid streaming – a preference consistent across every demographic and political affiliation.

“Local stations are serving communities with live sports, trusted local news and life-saving emergency coverage — all available for free to every American,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “But outdated rules are shackling these stations from growing and innovating at a time when Big Tech operates with limitless scale and zero public interest obligations. Consumers deserve more — not fewer — local journalists on the ground and live sporting events accessible without a subscription. The FCC must act quickly to level the playing field so broadcasters can continue investing in the content communities rely on most.”

Charlotte Radio: Cameron Moore Awarded Double Duty At Beasley

Beasley Media Group has announced the promotion of Cameron Moore as Program Director of WSOC-FM Country 103.7 FM  Charlotte.

She will continue her role as Program Director of sister station WNKS-FM (Kiss 95.1), which she has held since February 2022. Moore joined Beasley’s Charlotte cluster in October 2017 as a midday host for WNKS and later took on additional roles, including Music Director for both WNKS and WSOC, and Assistant Program Director for WSOC. She had been serving as Interim Program Director for WSOC since March 2025, following the departure of John Reynolds, who had been the station’s Program Director.

Cameron Moore

A North Carolina native, Moore previously worked at Midwest Family Broadcasting’s Springfield, Missouri cluster, where she was Imaging Director, midday host for Rhythmic CHR “92.9 The Beat” (KOSP), and afternoon host for Country “105.1 The Bull” (KOMG). 

Her expanded role at WSOC builds on her proven track record, with Beasley Charlotte Vice President and Market Manager Mac Edwards praising her leadership, deep understanding of the brands, and commitment to listeners. 

Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase highlighted her vision and creativity, noting her success with Kiss 95.1 and confidence in her ability to elevate WSOC. Moore expressed excitement about leading WSOC, emphasizing the station’s legacy in Charlotte’s country music scene and her goal to evolve the brand for listeners and advertisers.

Trump Asks Supreme Court To Let Him Fire FTC Chair

Trump is seeking Supreme Court Intervention to Fire FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. On Friday President Donald Trump petitioned the Supreme Court to allow him to remove Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, challenging lower court rulings that reinstated her after her March 2025 dismissal. 

Trump is requesting a pause on her reinstatement pending his appeal.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the president’s actions, stating, “President Trump acted lawfully when he removed Rebecca Slaughter from the FTC. The Supreme Court has recently confirmed the President’s authority to remove heads of executive agencies twice, and we anticipate vindication again, hoping lower courts will align with Supreme Court precedent.”

In March, Trump fired Slaughter and fellow Democratic FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya as part of a broader effort to assert control over federal agencies. However, earlier this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, upheld a July 2025 lower court ruling by U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan, which deemed Slaughter’s termination illegal. 

The appeals court cited the 1935 Supreme Court precedent Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, affirming that FTC commissioners can only be removed for cause, such as neglect of duty or malfeasance, which Trump did not provide. 

Slaughter resumed her role at the FTC following the appeals court’s decision.

The case, likely headed to the Supreme Court, tests the limits of presidential authority over independent agencies, with implications for the FTC’s bipartisan structure and its role in consumer protection and antitrust enforcement.

Radio History: Sept 5

➦In 1910...Kenneth Howard Delmar born in Boston (Died at age 73 - July 14, 1984, Stamford, Connecticut). He was an actor active in radio, films, and animation. An announcer on the pioneering radio news series The March of Time, he became a national radio sensation in 1945 as Senator Beauregard Claghorn on the running "Allen's Alley" sketch on The Fred Allen Show.

Kenny Delmar

The character Delmar created was a primary inspiration for the Warner Bros. cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn.

By the late 1930s, Delmar was an announcer on such major radio series as The March of Time and Your Hit Parade. He played multiple roles in The Mercury Theatre on the Air's October 1938 radio drama The War of the Worlds.

Delmar is notable for creating the character Senator Beauregard Claghorn on Fred Allen's radio program Allen's Alley, which he did while also serving as the show's regular announcer. Senator Claghorn made his radio debut October 7, 1945, and six months later was called "unquestionably the most quoted man in the nation" by Life magazine. The role inspired the Warner Bros. animated character Foghorn Leghorn, first seen in the Oscar-nominated cartoon Walky Talky Hawky (1946).

"During the late 1940s, Mr. Delmar captivated 20 million radio listeners every Sunday night with his burlesque of a bombastic, super-chauvinistic legislator who drank only from Dixie cups and refused to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel," wrote The New York Times. "His stock expression, 'That's a joke, son,' was for many years one of the nation's pet phrases, mimicked by children and businessmen alike.

Delmar was also announcer and voice performer on The Alan Young Show in 1944. In 1953 he returned to radio replacing Hans Conried's character on My Friend Irma, as the Professor's cousin, Maestro Wanderkin and as Conried's Schultz on Life with Luigi.

➦In 1938…'Life Can Be Beautiful' began airing.  It was a daytime drama broadcast on NBC and CBS during its 16-year run. The program was billed as "an inspiring message of faith drawn from life" and remained one of the leading soap operas through the 1940s. Sponsored by Procter & Gamble and Spic and Span, it premiered September 5, 1938 on NBC and moved two months later to CBS, where it was heard from November 7, 1938 to June 21, 1946. Concurrently, it was also airing on NBC from 1939 to 1941. The final run was on NBC from 1946 to 1954.

➦In 1957...WPOW 1330 AM became one of the first NYC stations to air Rock & Roll regularly. Today the station airs a Spanish Christian music and teaching format and is owned by Radio Vision Cristiana Management.

➦In 1966...The Monkees released their first single--"Last Train to Clarksville".

➦In 1987...“American Bandstand,” hosted by Dick Clark on ABC, was cancelled after 30 years on network television, largely due to MTV's influence. The show limped along on the USA cable channel and in syndication for another three years, with a different host.

➦In 1989...Mike and the Mad Dog debuted on Emmis' WFAN 660 AM in NYC. The station was looking for hosts to replace Pete Franklin during PM drive time and program director  Mark Mason, floated the idea of teaming Mike Francesa with Chris Russo. At first, the station management thought the idea was crazy because they were no-names at that time.  However, because of Francesa and Russo's popularity on the weekends and on Imus in the Morning individually, the station management decided to pair the two together.

The show aired WFAN from September 1989 to August 2008 and featured Francesa and Russo talking about sports and taking phone calls from listeners. From 2002 the show was simulcast on television on the YES Network. On the radio, the show was simulcast beginning 2007 on WQYK in Tampa, Florida and from 2004 until 2007 on WROW in Albany, New York.

➦In 2002...John Daly "Jackie" Kelk died at age 79 from a lung infection (Born - August 6, 1923). He was a stage, radio, film, and television actor and stand-up comedian. Kelk was best known for portraying the role of Homer Brown on the radio series The Aldrich Family and as the original voice of Jimmy Olsen on The Adventures of Superman.

➦In 2012...Joe South, singer, songwriter and guitarist who did "Games People Play" and "Walk a Mile in My Shoes", died of heart failure in Buford, Georgia at age 72.  South also wrote songs for Elivs Presley, Deep Purple, the Osmonds, Gene Vincent, Lynn Anderson ("Rose Garden") and Billy Joe Royal and worked with Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Tommy Roe and others.

Connoisseur Closes On Alpha Media Deal

Connoisseur Media, a Westport, Connecticut-based radio broadcasting company, announced on Thursday, the successful completion of its acquisition of Alpha Media, a major deal that significantly expands its footprint in the U.S. radio industry. 

The acquisition, which received approval from the FCC on August 13, 2025, merges Alpha Media’s 205 radio stations with Connoisseur’s existing portfolio of 11 stations in Connecticut and Long Island, creating a combined company that operates 216 stations across 47 markets nationwide. This strategic move positions Connoisseur among the top 10 radio broadcasters in the United States, according to the company’s statement.

The acquisition, initially agreed upon earlier in 2025, broadens Connoisseur’s geographic reach into key markets, including San Antonio, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Jose, California; Palm Springs, Florida; and Louisville, Kentucky. These additions complement Connoisseur’s established presence in local markets such as Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut, as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, New York. 

The expanded portfolio enables the combined company to reach approximately 20% of the U.S. radio audience, significantly enhancing its influence and market share in the broadcasting industry.

Jeff Warshaw

Jeff Warshaw, CEO of Connoisseur Media, emphasized the company’s commitment to local broadcasting as a core pillar of its mission. “Local broadcasting has always been at the heart of what we do,” Warshaw said in a statement. “This acquisition is about assembling the scale and resources to keep radio strong, serve our communities, empower our employees, and create even more value for advertisers.” 

The deal not only bolsters Connoisseur’s operational scale but also strengthens its ability to deliver targeted content and advertising solutions to diverse audiences across the country.

Connoisseur Media, founded as a radio company focused on serving local Connecticut and Long Island markets, has grown steadily over the years. The acquisition of Alpha Media, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, marks a significant milestone in its growth strategy, enabling the company to compete more effectively with larger national broadcasters while maintaining its emphasis on community-oriented programming. 

By acquiring Alpha Media, Connoisseur gains access to a diverse portfolio of stations, including various formats such as music, talk, and sports, which cater to a wide range of listener demographics. This diversity strengthens Connoisseur’s position as a leading player in the industry, capable of adapting to changing listener preferences and market dynamics.